Iñaki Preciado

The Teachings of Lao Zi

Original title:

Las enseñanzas de Lao Zi.

About the book:

The Teachings of Lao Zi

Taoism is rooted in the deepest and most beautiful aspects of Chinese thought. Among all the Taoist Masters and thinkers, none has been as revered and acclaimed as Lao Zi, the “Ancient Master” and renowned author of the Lao Zi (Tao te king). Most traditions consider the Lao Zi to be the first and highest exposition of philosophical Taoism.

It is a clear and very readable book, yet both erudite and poignant, in which Iñaki Preciado unveils the mysteries involving the life of this Taoist sage. Beyond biographical details, the author concentrates on key concepts of Taoist teachings: dao (tao), vacuity, totality, de, wuwei, yin and yang, etc. With great mastery and clarity, Preciado explains the ideals of wisdom in Taoism, the praise of the feminine, spontaneity, and the criticism of Confucian doctrine. Last but not least, The Teachings of Lao Zi takes us deep into a world full of “hidden sages”, directions for the art of ruling, ancient inner alchemy and the most exstatic mysticism.

The Teachings of Lao Zi is probably the most serious and informative exposition on Lao Zi and philosophical Taoism. 

About the author:

Iñaki Preciado is a renowned translator of Chinese and Tibetan into Spanish, and one of our leading experts on these two cultures. His translations of Zhuang Zi, Lie Zi (both published by Kairós) and the Lao Zi have become classics. From Tibetan he has also translated Milarepa’s Life.